RF's Financial News

Sunday, April 26, 2015

Well it doesn't take a genius to figure out that if the debts CAN’T be paid, they WON’T be paid. Our global economies are a kin to heroin junkies – requiring larger ‘fixes’ just to maintain their respective highs. I am beginning to hear rumblings of a global, digital currency – a world without cash. A world where everything you do will be credited or debited from your ‘card’. This would allow everyone’s fiscal moves to be perfectly monitored – from buying a house and a car, to pharmaceuticals and food – the ultimate in control.

To that end, the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF’s) SDR program is digital currency’s perfect implementation path. The IMF has been gearing up for China's inclusion into the SDR basket since 1988, and should have it completed by October. After that, we can legitimately discuss a new world currency system based upon the SDR model. The SDR could be an equalizing force around the globe, as all local currencies will begin to be revalued in relation to the SDR. After all, the U.S. has been the only reserve currency for 60 years; therefore, using the SDR as the new global standard is only fair. But that will simply be the warm-up pitcher for our digital currency.

Accompanying anything digital is the tracking of the transaction, and those pesky transaction fees that bankers love. Currently there are nations where the interest rate is negative. That is to say, nations where banks charge you for storing your cash in their bank. Now honestly, it costs you nothing to store your cash in your wallet or under your bed. But if we were a cashless society, then we have no choice but to keep our money in the bank and ‘pay’ for the privilege.

But the transition to a cashless society will not be without its issues. In November of last year, the G20 nations changed the language surrounding a bank deposit. Now, when you make a deposit – the money is no longer yours, but belongs to the bank. You are no longer putting your cash into a bank for safekeeping, but rather you are ‘loaning’ your money to that institution. Therefore, if your bank begins to give car loans to people with no ability to pay them back and the bank goes under, your deposited money is way down the line in so far as you getting your money back. The argument then shifts to the FDIC coming to the rescue. Well that's fine when we're talking about a bank here or there, but the FDIC cannot possibly cover every account for $250,000. A big bank failure would overwhelm the system in a day. Last year the FDIC admitted that they really only have enough money to cover 2% of the nations deposits.

So my argument is this, many things are better than cash. Historically, I can point to over 30 ‘fiat’ currencies that no longer exist. Yet silver, gold, platinum, and diamonds have always held a value. I think it makes a lot of sense to keep just enough money in the bank to cover your bills, with a bit of a cushion. But I'd much rather store value in ‘things’ like: silver, gold, real estate, cars, etc. Remember when you purchased that 1970 Barracuda 340 convertible for $2,800. Today it would be worth about $45,000.

The bottom line is this: I don't trust banks, and the less money that I have in them – the better I feel. I’m mindful of Henry Ford’s remark: “It is well enough that people do not understand our banking or monetary system, for if they did, I believe there would be a revolution before tomorrow morning.”

The Market....

Factually:

- Deutsche Bank was fined $2.5B for rigging the Libor rate,

- China's factory activity declined at the fastest pace in a year,

- This quarter MMM spent $1.5B buying-back their stock, but only took in $1.1B cash from operations.

- Only 42% of companies reporting, have beaten their earnings estimates.

- The Purchasing Manager’s Index (PMI) recorded its largest ‘miss’ to the downside ever recorded.

- Investors (year to date) have pulled $79B out of equities, with net outflows in 9 of the past 10 weeks.

Question: How does the market continue to rise (and even make new highs), while investors are actually pulling their money out?

Answer: The Corporation itself is the new buyer. Corporations issue debt, and with that money buy-up their own stock.

We’re in a Disney(esque)land of endless global QE, and money printing. We're in a time where Central banks buy stocks and futures. We're in a time where ‘Job #1’ of our FED is to keep our stock market moving higher so that J. Q. Public doesn't understand that our country is ‘broke’. People continue to harp on there being $700B of Corporate cash on the sidelines, but forget that it is accompanied by $1.5T in Corporate debt.

On Friday the market was having a hard time making an all-time high in the S&P of over 2117.52. With just an hour left in the trading day, we still needed several points. But just moments before the day ended, the bell rang to magically close the S&P session at 2117.69 – a new all-time high by 17 cents. If this market wants to go to S&P 2200 – I want to go along for the ride. But it has to prove it to me by holding these new highs for a few days. Right now, I'm not convinced. The market struggled to squeak out that close on Friday, and it may not have the same conviction come Monday.

Also, seasonality comes into question. Remember the adage: “Sell in May and go away". Well, May is only 5 trading days away. So even if this breakout holds, we are heading into a traditionally weak period that could produce a pullback. Either way, we will know soon enough. Just consider this statement by Jamie Dimon, the CEO of JP Morgan: “Some things never change. There will be another crisis, and its impact will be decisively felt by the financial market." Jamie, you’re absolutely right, and I’m betting that you probably know exactly what that upcoming crisis is going to be.

- DIS – watching for a move to 111, so looking at the 107 June Calls, and

- TWTR – looking at the May 52 / 60 Call Debit Spread

I’m currently holding:

- GLD – BOUGHT MAY Call Debit Spread: +112 / -120,

- NUGT – BOUGHT shares and weekly covered calls,

- DUST – BOUGHT shares and weekly covered calls, and

- ORCL – BOUGHT MAY / JUNE Call Calendar: $45

To follow me on Twitter.com and on StockTwits.com to get my daily thoughts and trades – my handle is: taylorpamm.

Please be safe out there!

Disclaimer:

Expressed thoughts proffered within the BARRONS REPORT, a Private and free weekly economic newsletter, are those of noted entrepreneur, professor and author, R.F. Culbertson, contributing sources and those he interviews. You can learn more and get your free subscription by visiting: <http://rfcfinancialnews.blogspot.com> .

Please write to Mr. Culbertson at: <rfc@culbertsons.com> to inform him of any reproductions, including when and where copy will be reproduced. You may use in complete form or, if quoting in brief, reference <rfcfinancialnews.blogspot.com>.

If you'd like to view RF's actual stock trades - and see more of his thoughts - please feel free to sign up as a Twitter follower - "taylorpamm" is the handle.

If you'd like to see RF in action - teaching people about investing - please feel free to view the TED talk that he gave on Fearless Investing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Z9I_6ciH0

Views expressed are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed in any way as an offer, an endorsement, or inducement to invest and is not in any way a testimony of, or associated with Mr. Culbertson's other firms or associations. Mr. Culbertson and related parties are not registered and licensed brokers. This message may contain information that is confidential or privileged and is intended only for the individual or entity named above and does not constitute an offer for or advice about any alternative investment product. Such advice can only be made when accompanied by a prospectus or similar offering document. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Please make sure to review important disclosures at the end of each article.

Note: Joining BARRONS REPORT is not an offering for any investment. It represents only the opinions of RF Culbertson and Associates.

PAST RESULTS ARE NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. THERE IS RISK OF LOSS AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GAIN WHEN INVESTING IN MANAGED FUNDS. WHEN CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS (INCLUDING HEDGE FUNDS) AN INVESTOR SHOULD CONSIDER VARIOUS RISKS INCLUDING THE FACT THAT SOME PRODUCTS AND OTHER SPECULATIVE INVESTMENT PRACTICES MAY INCREASE RISK OF INVESTMENT LOSS; MAY NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AS MUTUAL FUNDS, OFTEN CHARGE HIGH FEES, AND IN MANY CASES THE UNDERLYING INVESTMENTS ARE NOT TRANSPARENT AND ARE KNOWN ONLY TO THE INVESTMENT MANAGER.

Alternative investment performance can be volatile. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his or her investment. Often, alternative investment fund and account managers have total trading authority over their funds or accounts; the use of a single advisor applying generally similar trading programs could mean lack of diversification and, consequently, higher risk. There is often no secondary market for an investor's interest in alternative investments, and none is expected to develop.

All material presented herein is believed to be reliable but we cannot attest to its accuracy. Opinions expressed in these reports may change without prior notice. Culbertson and/or the staff may or may not have investments in any funds cited above.

Remember the Blog: <http://rfcfinancialnews.blogspot.com/>Until next week – be safe.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

-Last week, Greece
went to the IMF to ask for a delay in their payment schedule and was
immediately denied.

-Big banks like
Goldman and Citi beat their earnings estimates, but on lowered revenues.

-Fundamental
economic reports such as: initial jobless claims, housing starts, and the
Empire new orders index have been terrible.

-Data out of
China reflects a marked economic slowdown.

-And Obama is
pushing a new retirement program.

With all of this severe
economic discontinuity, what do you do with your money? Do you just leave
it in the system and pray nothing happens, or do you take it out?And if you take it out, what do you do with
it?Personally, I'm not a big fan of
401k's because of their outrageous management fees, and their stock portion is
often NOT covered by any FDIC insurance.I personally advise people to contribute enough money to get the
employer match, and (since a ‘money market account’ is considered a deposit
account) use the ‘money market’ option in the 401k instead of the ‘stock
option’ for the time being.

In
difficult times, I suggest that everyone attempt to pay off his or her own home
mortgage.For example: if you have 200k in your 401k, and the balance on your
mortgage was 170k – I would pay off the mortgage and free myself from the
bank.First, most mortgages are ‘demand
notes’, which the bank could call in at any time.Second, most people’s ability to pay off
their mortgage depends upon their having reliable employment, which often comes
into question in tough times.And
thirdly, if things really get ugly, there is a real chance that our government
could ‘temporarily’ confiscate our 401k’s.There is virtually no chance that our government would confiscate our real
estate as a result of any economic or financial collapse. Putting this
all together, I would rather pay off my mortgage when I could – rather than
when I had to.

Ms. Yellen, our entire
economic system is built on trust.I
trust that when I put $5,000 into the bank – that I can get $5,000 out of the
bank.I trust that when I send money to
my 401K – that it is always going to be there.In a perfect ‘Leave It to Beaver’ world, that would be true.But what happens if we enter a greedy, evil
world where fraud, theft and scams are prevalent?I never want to get to a place where I truly
believed such institutions as our bank deposits or stock holdings could be
taken from us, but I think we're pretty close to that right now.And, I think we all need to ponder the
reality.

The Market:

Last week market
regulators in China announced two things:One, they are going to get tougher about people using the shadow banking
system to finance stock purchases.And two, the programs used to ‘short’ Chinese stocks were expanded to allow
more stocks to be ‘short-able’.

Last Thursday evening,
China announced some of the worst economic numbers in about 6 years. China is such an important importer and
exporter, that if their economy is slowing – everyone will pay the price. But potentially the worst news of all was that
all of the Bloomberg terminals around the globe went ‘dark’ early Friday
morning. Allow me to explain.If you are a money institution, you probably
use the ‘Bloomberg’ trading platform – which connects you to the world via
news, messages, and trades.The platform
costs approximately $20k per platform per year, and there are thousands of them
in use around the world.All of those
platforms ‘went down’ early Friday morning and caused immediate worry by all of
the institutional traders.

So between the lousy numbers
out of China and the Bloomberg glitch, the market was in sad shape on Friday.
Adding insult to injury, there is mounting evidence that Greece is about to default,
and could be forced to ‘leave the Eurozone’.So Friday was a complete washout with the DOW down (at times) over 300
points, and the S&P under its 50-day moving average. I thought that the market would struggle with
its all-time highs, but not fall for 350 points.I didn’t see that one coming.

So, does that mean that we
are in correction mode? It could
be.But remember: (a) It's April – and April
is historically a good month for the market, and (b) for the past 6 years, buyers
have come in and ‘bought the dip’ each time this market has been hit really
hard.

If I come in on Monday and
there is no stabilization, and we continue to fall – the next stop would be
around S&P 2060, then down to 2040. If we lose S&P 2040, we could
be looking at the beginning of the first ugly correction in over 6 years.

This market has come one
heck of a long way over the last 6 years. The bull is tired, and all of the manipulations
and QE's have run their course. This is
a desperate time for the market, especially with some of the things we see
coming later in the year concerning China and the IMF. Therefore, if the market continues to bleed
this week and touches 2040, it could time to start selling.If (however) the S&P bounces back above
2084 on Monday (it’s 50-day moving average) – we could quickly forget Friday's
plunge. It is nothing short of ‘interesting’ out there.

TIPS:

The following chart is
showing the technical indicators favoring an upward movement in the S&P and
DOW this coming week.

Currently looking at:

-S&P (SPY),
NASDAQ (QQQ), and Russell (IWM) shorts and puts

I’m currently holding:

-GLD – BOUGHT MAY
Call Debit Spread: +112 / -120,

-NUGT – BOUGHT
MAY Calls: +10, and

-ORCL – BOUGHT
MAY / JUNE Call Calendar: $45

To follow me on Twitter.com and on StockTwits.com to get my daily thoughts
and trades – my handle is: taylorpamm.

Please be safe out there!

Disclaimer:

Expressed thoughts proffered within
the BARRONS REPORT, a Private and free weekly economic newsletter, are those of
noted entrepreneur, professor and author, R.F. Culbertson, contributing sources
and those he interviews. You
can learn more and get your free subscription by visiting: <http://rfcfinancialnews.blogspot.com>
.

Please write to Mr. Culbertson at:
<rfc@culbertsons.com>
to inform him of any reproductions, including when and where copy will be
reproduced. You may use in complete form or, if quoting in brief, reference
<rfcfinancialnews.blogspot.com>.

If you'd like to view RF's actual
stock trades - and see more of his thoughts - please feel free to sign up as a
Twitter follower - "taylorpamm"
is the handle.

If you'd like to see RF in action -
teaching people about investing - please feel free to view the TED talk that he
gave on Fearless Investing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Z9I_6ciH0

Views expressed are provided for
information purposes only and should not be construed in any way as an offer,
an endorsement, or inducement to invest and is not in any way a testimony of,
or associated with Mr. Culbertson's other firms or associations. Mr. Culbertson and related parties are
not registered and licensed brokers. This
message may contain information that is confidential or privileged and is
intended only for the individual or entity named above and does not constitute
an offer for or advice about any alternative investment product. Such advice
can only be made when accompanied by a prospectus or similar offering
document. Past performance
is not indicative of future performance. Please make sure to review important
disclosures at the end of each article.

Note: Joining BARRONS REPORT is not
an offering for any investment. It represents only the opinions of RF
Culbertson and Associates.

PAST RESULTS ARE NOT INDICATIVE OF
FUTURE RESULTS. THERE IS RISK OF LOSS AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GAIN WHEN
INVESTING IN MANAGED FUNDS. WHEN CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS (INCLUDING
HEDGE FUNDS) AN INVESTOR SHOULD CONSIDER VARIOUS RISKS INCLUDING THE FACT THAT
SOME PRODUCTS AND OTHER SPECULATIVE INVESTMENT PRACTICES MAY INCREASE RISK OF
INVESTMENT LOSS; MAY NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AS
MUTUAL FUNDS, OFTEN CHARGE HIGH FEES, AND IN MANY CASES THE UNDERLYING
INVESTMENTS ARE NOT TRANSPARENT AND ARE KNOWN ONLY TO THE INVESTMENT MANAGER.

Alternative investment performance
can be volatile. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his or
her investment. Often, alternative investment fund and account managers have
total trading authority over their funds or accounts; the use of a single
advisor applying generally similar trading programs could mean lack of
diversification and, consequently, higher risk. There is often no secondary
market for an investor's interest in alternative investments, and none is
expected to develop.

All material presented herein is
believed to be reliable but we cannot attest to its accuracy. Opinions
expressed in these reports may change without prior notice. Culbertson and/or
the staff may or may not have investments in any funds cited above.

Remember the Blog: <http://rfcfinancialnews.blogspot.com/>
Until next week – be safe.

Sunday, April 12, 2015

“Statistics are a lot like a bikini - what they reveal is eye opening, but what they hide is essential.” Mark Puliafico

Thoughts:

Dear Ms. Yellen:

At the last G20 meeting, the nations (including the U.S.) modified the rules concerning what is and what is not a bank deposit. The new rule classifies ‘bank deposits’ as ‘bank holdings’, and that directly impacts who is entitled to these funds if and when a bank fails. That means that the moment you make a deposit, the money belongs to the bank first and the depositor second. In other words, if and when a bank fails the senior debt holders of a bank get paid first – virtually guaranteeing depositors never seeing 100% of their own money. The scarier part is that if banks were forced to use ‘mark to market’ accounting, their real estate holdings alone would result in a significant number of bank insolvencies. Therefore, under this new rule, insolvent banks could use their deposits first (to help pay back their debts) – leaving depositors with virtually nothing. Ms. Yellen, is your name on this G20 resolution?

Lately, over 50 of our ‘so called’ allies have rushed to join the Asian infrastructure bank being run by China. Our allies realize that China is going to be carrying a lot more weight globally, and their fear is that the U.S. dollar will go into a ‘free fall’ prior to official global reset. Keith Neumeyer (CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp.) stated the other day: “With the central banks changing from selling to buying gold (which is quite unique in our lifetime), a reset of the financial industry is coming. We’re seeing governments accumulate the metals because there is some kind of back-room deal being made. The gold accumulation that I see is (a) outside the normal system, and (b) an accumulation of the physical metal.” Ms. Yellen, my question is, when the reset hits, will it be the people that have the physical gold and silver that will win?

Lastly, I remember some of Harry Truman’s famous quotes: “The buck stops here”, and “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen”, and finally “It’s a recession when your neighbor loses his job; it’s a depression when you lose yours.” But my favorite Truman quote is: “Just give me a one-handed economist. Because all of mine say, on one hand I would do this, and on the other hand I would do that." Mr. Truman – I feel your pain. As of late, two different FOMC members (on the same day) proclaimed (a) that interest rate increases are right around the corner, and (b) rate increases may not happen at all this year. The fundamental problem is ‘not’ which one publically spoke last, but rather not allowing capitalism to resolve the issue. The Fed’s ‘zero interest rate policy’ (ZIRP) is replacing ‘hard work’ with subsidies that demand ‘less work’ and more dependence upon government subsidies. ‘Do-It-Yourself’ motivation is a memory, as individuals are becoming solely reliant upon the government for their needs (food, shelter, healthcare, cell phones, and money). Ms. Yellen, it’s your job to change the U.S. back from being the ‘Land of Free Stuff’ – to the ‘Land of Opportunity’.

The Market:

Factually:

- Earnings season began this week with Alcoa (AA) beating its already lowered earnings estimates with revenues that were also ‘below estimates’. Remember the pattern of beting ‘lowered earnings estimates’ (via accounting) with ‘fewer sales’, as it will be repeated throughout this earnings season.

- On Friday GE came out with a $50B buyback. To put that in perspective, February was a record month for stock buybacks at $100B, and GE is going to do half of that by itself. To do the buyback, GE is going to sell most of GE Capital – which contributed 42% of GE’s profits for the past 5 years. So cutting to the chase, GE is selling the division that made half of their corporate profits, in order to keep their stock price higher in the short term.

- In March the U.S. created 50,000 real jobs, but last week over 4 TIMES that many people (200,000+) signed up for ‘First Time’ unemployment benefits.

- 57% of Americans have $0 set away for retirement.

- The NY Times reported that the average American is now worth 36% LESS than they were a decade ago.

- The fastest growing jobs sectors are retail sales clerks and cashiers. How well can you say: “Do you want fries with that?”

Last week I said that I would sell many of my long positions if the S&P’s closed below 2056, and that I would increase my holdings if the S&P’s closed above 2086. Thursday’s session ended with an S&P close of 2091, and on Friday they followed through with a close of 2102. The next milestone is 2108 – which isn't far away. If we can get over that, there is little question that we will challenge the all time S&P high of 2117. I think we will probably get there; however, breaking through and reaching even higher is going to be a lot tougher.

This coming week, the floodgates of earnings reports will open, and we will get to hear the confessions from hundreds of companies. Companies will ‘proforma’ and ‘one time charge off’ their way to accounting glory. The real story will lie within their revenue numbers. You see, companies can manipulate earnings, but it’s tougher to manipulate revenues / sales. Buying back their own stock and using non-GAAP reporting are two mechanisms companies use to ‘account’ themselves into higher earnings. But watch a company’s revenue numbers for Quarter over Quarter (QOQ) and Year over Year (YOY) comparisons. When a corporation is showing QOQ and YOY revenue declines, that will be your ‘red flag’.

I think we will get to the all time highs. I am not so certain that we will get past them in any meaningful way. The top in the S&P that was set on March 2nd could end up serving as a market ‘top’ for a long time. In the meantime, I will lean long and pick up some swing trades, but I won't overstay my welcome. This is not the time to buy and hold things.

TIPS:

The following chart is showing the technical indicators favoring an upward movement in the S&P and DOW this coming week. Also, the VIX (volatility index) is currently low (12.58). It’s tough for the market to ‘rollover’ with the VIX this low. Therefore, this week we could see a steady ‘grind higher’ into Friday’s monthly options expiration.

To follow me on Twitter.com and on StockTwits.com to get my daily thoughts and trades – my handle is: taylorpamm.

Please be safe out there!

Disclaimer:

Expressed thoughts proffered within the BARRONS REPORT, a Private and free weekly economic newsletter, are those of noted entrepreneur, professor and author, R.F. Culbertson, contributing sources and those he interviews. You can learn more and get your free subscription by visiting: <http://rfcfinancialnews.blogspot.com> .

Please write to Mr. Culbertson at: <rfc@culbertsons.com> to inform him of any reproductions, including when and where copy will be reproduced. You may use in complete form or, if quoting in brief, reference <rfcfinancialnews.blogspot.com>.

If you'd like to view RF's actual stock trades - and see more of his thoughts - please feel free to sign up as a Twitter follower - "taylorpamm" is the handle.

If you'd like to see RF in action - teaching people about investing - please feel free to view the TED talk that he gave on Fearless Investing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K2Z9I_6ciH0

Views expressed are provided for information purposes only and should not be construed in any way as an offer, an endorsement, or inducement to invest and is not in any way a testimony of, or associated with Mr. Culbertson's other firms or associations. Mr. Culbertson and related parties are not registered and licensed brokers. This message may contain information that is confidential or privileged and is intended only for the individual or entity named above and does not constitute an offer for or advice about any alternative investment product. Such advice can only be made when accompanied by a prospectus or similar offering document. Past performance is not indicative of future performance. Please make sure to review important disclosures at the end of each article.

Note: Joining BARRONS REPORT is not an offering for any investment. It represents only the opinions of RF Culbertson and Associates.

PAST RESULTS ARE NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS. THERE IS RISK OF LOSS AS WELL AS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GAIN WHEN INVESTING IN MANAGED FUNDS. WHEN CONSIDERING ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENTS (INCLUDING HEDGE FUNDS) AN INVESTOR SHOULD CONSIDER VARIOUS RISKS INCLUDING THE FACT THAT SOME PRODUCTS AND OTHER SPECULATIVE INVESTMENT PRACTICES MAY INCREASE RISK OF INVESTMENT LOSS; MAY NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE SAME REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS AS MUTUAL FUNDS, OFTEN CHARGE HIGH FEES, AND IN MANY CASES THE UNDERLYING INVESTMENTS ARE NOT TRANSPARENT AND ARE KNOWN ONLY TO THE INVESTMENT MANAGER.

Alternative investment performance can be volatile. An investor could lose all or a substantial amount of his or her investment. Often, alternative investment fund and account managers have total trading authority over their funds or accounts; the use of a single advisor applying generally similar trading programs could mean lack of diversification and, consequently, higher risk. There is often no secondary market for an investor's interest in alternative investments, and none is expected to develop.

All material presented herein is believed to be reliable but we cannot attest to its accuracy. Opinions expressed in these reports may change without prior notice. Culbertson and/or the staff may or may not have investments in any funds cited above.

Remember the Blog: <http://rfcfinancialnews.blogspot.com/>Until next week – be safe.

GetAbby.com IVR Solutions

A TRIPLE is only a TRIPLE when you make it to 3rd BASE!

In today’s world, if you can’t achieve having ALL 3 - then you’re just hitting three singles – and NEVER putting everything together – and therefore NEVER putting yourself in ‘scoring’ position! And frankly, if you’re not going to ‘score’ - why be in the game? All 3 of these elements (web avatars, IVR solutions, mobile applications) NEED to work together, and combine in order to significantly reduce customer service costs, while dramatically enhancing the customer experience, and increasing your customer knowledge, retention and let’s not forget – increasing your bottom line.

First base is your speech application. Applications need to recognize voice commands, understand accents, languages, and colloquial enunciations, everyone sees the industry moving in this direction - from buying airline tickets to feeding your Xbox commands - virtually everything needs voice technology. Second base is web interactivity – the ability to ask a web avatar a question – in your own words – in your own language (very similar to speech). The extra element the web provides is instant connectivity to thousands of “friends” receiving and sending status updates - allowing your product to reach a wider audience, cheaper – better - faster.
Third base takes includes your mobile device. Apple has sold over 2 million ipads in 2 months – even though it’s only been released in 9 countries. 5 Billion iPhone apps have been downloaded. AT&T stopped taking orders for the iPhone 4G after being open for 27 HOURS. So if mobile devices are NOT be a part of your strategy, think again. And just do the math – a mobile device application can be written for tens of thousands – and circulated to millions of people – giving you a total cost of ownership in the ‘pennies’ - what other device offers that consistency - scalability – and cost?

Our job at GetAbby is to put you in position to score. We bring it all HOME. We take all three of these sigles, combine them, and allow you to bring it HOME in one application. GetABBY provides the technology that allows you to book airline tickets over the phone, and have the confirmation ticket sent straight to your mobile device, and confirm thru an avatar on the web – where the avatar will present you with more money saving ideas on additional places to stay. We’re there for you, ready to take you past third base – taking it home, however; is up too you to GetABBY.